What Is Your Level of Situational Awareness?

(SurvivalDaily.com) – Society today has actively put itself in the position of being at the lowest level of situational awareness. Most people are multitasking, distracted and doing just about anything but living in the moment. That could mean this is the most vulnerable we’ve ever been. Don’t believe it?

Test yourself. Answer the questions below without looking up from your screen. Then, assess yourself using our five levels of situational awareness, below:

What are the last five words you heard?
What is the closest item you can reach and use as a weapon?
Where is the closest fire extinguisher or material to put out fires (like baking soda)?
What is between you and the nearest exit to the outside?
Where is the first aid kit?

Five Levels of Situational Awareness

Consider these five different states of awareness:

White: People in the white zone are completely oblivious to the world around them. They’re the ones whose names have to be called in the middle of a gathering because they have no idea they’re being spoken to.
Yellow: People in this group are aware of what’s going on around them. They may even have prepared ahead of time in a limited manner.
Orange: This is the level of awareness that comes after devastation has occurred. Some people live here because of training or because of past trauma. It wouldn’t take long to spring into action from this zone. Details about the environment are noted.
Red: All focus is on the potential threat. Any action taken is in preparation for dealing with the problem, so a hand may be on a weapon and a plan of action or escape has formed.
Black: There is no plan, only raw emotion and confusion. People who are unaware of their environment can end up here straight from the white zone. Some even live on the verge of this state.

It’s easy to see how extremes can lead to danger, and why it’s important to be aware of your environment. Thankfully, Tim Kennedy has some great tips on increasing situational awareness in the video below.

The most important tool you have in any situation is your mindset. If you start to panic or lose control, you increase your own danger levels. Being aware of your surroundings is the first step, but keeping control of your own mind is most important. See how you can remain calm and keep a survival mindset.